Virginia's coastline splits into two distinct categories: the Atlantic Ocean beaches along the Eastern Shore and the barrier island coast near Virginia Beach, and the calmer Chesapeake Bay beaches farther inland. The Atlantic side gets more surf and more visitors. The bay side trades waves for warmer water and gentler conditions. Both have good options depending on what you want from a beach day.
Assateague Beach
Assateague Beach is the most distinctive beach in Virginia, full stop. The reason: wild horses that have lived on the barrier island for centuries roam freely along the shoreline. You will see them. They are not fenced or managed for tourist access. They are actual wild horses that happen to share a beach with people.
Rating: 4.9/5 (465 reviews)
The Virginia side of Assateague Island falls within Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The beach stretches for miles with Atlantic surf on the ocean side and calm, shallow water on the Chincoteague Bay side. The bay side is particularly good for swimming and wading since it stays shallow for a long distance from shore. The island also sits within a maritime ecosystem, meaning salt marshes, dune systems, and serious bird habitat alongside the beach. Over 300 bird species have been recorded on the island.
You reach Assateague's Virginia portion by driving through Chincoteague Island and crossing the Assateague Channel bridge. There is a $25 entrance fee per vehicle (covered by America the Beautiful passes).
Best for: Wildlife viewing, photography, swimming in calm bay water, birdwatching
Sandbridge Beach (Virginia Beach)
Sandbridge Beach is the southern end of the Virginia Beach oceanfront, well past the resort strip and boardwalk crowds. The beach is wider here, the development is mostly residential, and the vibe is significantly quieter than the 3-mile tourist corridor farther north. Families rent houses directly on the beach for weeks at a time.
Rating: 4.8/5 (1,215 reviews)
With over 1,200 reviews averaging 4.8 stars, Sandbridge earns consistent high marks from visitors who specifically want less commercial atmosphere. The ocean side has real Atlantic surf, including strong summer rip currents that require attention. Just behind the dunes on the bay side sits Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which adds kayaking through shallow marshes, fishing, and bird watching as options beyond swimming.
Summer parking fills up on weekends. Arriving before 9 AM or after 4 PM avoids the crunch.
Best for: Quiet beach days, surf swimming, kayaking Back Bay, vacation rentals
North End Beaches (Virginia Beach)
The North End of Virginia Beach, roughly above 40th Street, shifts from the dense resort zone to a more residential neighborhood with quieter beach access. The water conditions here are similar to the rest of the Virginia Beach oceanfront but the crowds thin out considerably. Lifeguards are on duty during summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day).
Rating: 4.8/5 (205 reviews)
This stretch draws locals, frequent visitors, and surfers who know to skip the boardwalk area for a more functional beach day. Street parking is metered. The beach itself is wide with good sand and Atlantic waves consistent enough for bodyboarding and surfing.
Best for: Surfing, bodyboarding, locals-style beach days
First Landing Beach (Virginia Beach)
First Landing Beach sits inside First Landing State Park at the northern tip of Virginia Beach, where Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic. The 1607 English colonists who would later found Jamestown landed here. The beach itself is on the bay side, which means calm, protected water rather than open Atlantic surf.
Rating: 4.7/5 (176 reviews)
The state park adds real value here: 19 miles of hiking trails through maritime forest, bald cypress swamp, and dune habitats connect to the beach. Swimming is good for kids and non-swimmers because of the gentle bay water. The combination of beach access, trail network, and camping makes this a full-day or weekend destination rather than just a beach stop.
Entrance requires a Discover Pass ($7/day or $36/year for Virginia State Parks).
Best for: Families with kids, hiking, calm water swimming, camping
Ocean View Beach (Norfolk)
Ocean View Beach runs along the Chesapeake Bay side of Norfolk, protected by a natural sand bar that keeps the water calm and relatively shallow. The beach is public and free, with a fishing pier, picnic areas, and a boardwalk. The sand bar creates conditions good for swimming without strong current or heavy surf.
Rating: 4.7/5 (532 reviews)
The working waterfront character here is a genuine differentiator: you watch naval vessels and cargo ships pass through the Hampton Roads shipping channel while you swim. It is not a resort beach and it is not trying to be. Local seafood restaurants line the nearby streets. Sunset views across the bay are a consistent draw.
Best for: Free beach access, fishing, bay swimming, watching ship traffic
Croatan Beach (Virginia Beach)
Croatan Beach sits between the Virginia Beach resort strip and Sandbridge, offering a transition point that gets some of the Atlantic swell without the full commercial development of the main boardwalk area. The beach is accessed through a residential neighborhood and draws a mostly local crowd.
Rating: 4.7/5 (173 reviews)
The uncrowded atmosphere and clean beach conditions are what get consistent mentions in reviews. Facilities are minimal, which keeps day-trippers who want amenities from piling in. Good for straightforward beach time without extras.
Best for: Quiet beach days, avoiding crowds, Atlantic surf swimming
Resort Beach (Virginia Beach Oceanfront)
Resort Beach anchors the central Virginia Beach oceanfront near the Cavalier Hotel. This is the main tourist beach and it shows: the area is busy from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with lifeguards on duty, a concrete boardwalk running 3 miles behind the sand, and a dense lineup of hotels, restaurants, and shops a short walk away.
Rating: 4.7/5 (63 reviews)
The bay position creates calmer conditions than other Virginia Beach ocean spots, with shallow enough water close to shore to make it accessible for most swimmers. The Atlantic can still get rough during nor'easters and summer storm systems, but standard beach days are manageable for beginners. The 3-mile boardwalk is the main draw beyond swimming: it is flat, paved, and runs from 1st to 40th Streets with views of the ocean the whole way.
This is the right beach if you want the full Virginia Beach resort experience with everything walkable. It is not the right beach if you want quiet.
Best for: First-time Virginia Beach visits, resort stay guests, boardwalk access
Virginia Beach vs. Eastern Shore: Which Should You Visit?
If you want wildlife, space, and uncrowded sand: drive north to Assateague or the Chincoteague area on the Eastern Shore. The wild horse experience is unlike anything else on the East Coast.
If you want surf, amenities, and a beach town atmosphere: Virginia Beach proper handles that with options ranging from the busy oceanfront resort strip to the quieter Sandbridge and Croatan sections.
If you want calm bay water for kids or non-swimmers: First Landing State Park and Ocean View Beach in Norfolk both deliver protected conditions without a long drive.
Atlantic water temperatures at Virginia Beach run 60 to 70 degrees from June through September. Jellyfish are common in July and August. Lifeguards are on duty at public beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day, typically 9:30 AM to 6 PM.